Tilt position indicator

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a swivel bracket connected to a transom bracket for vertical swinging movement abut a horizontal axis, a propulsion unit pivotally connected to the swivel bracket for common vertical swinging movement of the propulsion unit with the swivel bracket relative to the transom bracket and for steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to the swivel bracket, a hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly pivotally connected between the swivel bracket and the transom bracket, and including a piston assembly telescopically movable in a cylinder in response to vertical swinging movement of the swivel bracket and propulsion unit relative to the transom bracket, and means for indicating the position of the propulsion unit relative to the transom bracket comprising a gauge including an indicator movable in response to variation in electrical current, and a variable resistance electrically connected in series to the gauge and including a resistance coil mounted on one of the cylinder and the piston assembly, and a wiper mounted on the other of the cylinder and the piston assembly and movably electrically connected to the coil for varying the current flow to the gauge in response to movement in the cylinder of the piston assembly.

United States Patent Collis et al.

[ TILT POSITKON lNDlCATOR [75] Inventors: Raymond B. Collis, Round Lake;

Martin H. Meyer, Libertyville, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

- Waukegan, Ill.

22 Filed: Jan. 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 321,049

Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Charles E. FrankfortAttorney, Agent, or FirmMichael, Best & Friedrich [4 1 Oct. 29, 1974 [57 ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising aswivel bracket connected to a transom bracket for vertical swingingmovement abut a horizontal axis, a propulsion unit pivotally connectedto the swivel bracket for common vertical swinging movement of thepropulsion unit with the swivel bracket relative to the transom bracketand for steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to the swivelbracket, a hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly pivotally connectedbetween the swivel bracket and the transom bracket, and including apiston assembly telescopically movable in a cylinder in response tovertical swinging movement of the swivel bracket and propulsion unitrelative to the transom bracket, and means for indicating the positionof the propulsion unit relative to the transom bracket comprising agauge including an indicator movable in response to variation inelectrical current, and a variable resistance electrically connected inseries to the gauge and including a resistance coil mounted on one ofthe cylinder and the piston assembly, and a wiper mounted on the otherof the cylinder and the piston assembly and movably electricallyconnected to the coil for varying the current flow to the gauge inresponse to movement in the cylinder of the piston assembly.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures TILT POSITION INDICATOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Marine propulsion devices, such as outboard motors and stemdrive units, have, for many years, included propulsion units which arevertically swingable relative to the supporting boat hull. Variousarrangements have been provided for trimming and tilting such propulsionunits relative to the boat hull in order to optimize propulsionefficiency and in order to remove the propeller mounted at the lower endof the propulsion unit from the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a means for remotelyindicating the position of a vertically swingable propulsion unitcomprising a gauge including an indicator movable in response tovariation in electrical current, and means physically connected betweenthe propulsion unit and a boat hull attachment means .and electricallyconnected to the gauge for varying the electrical current supply to thegauge in response to and in accordance with vertical swinging movementof the propulsion unit.

Such means, in accordance with the disclosed constructions, includes avariable resistance electrically connected to the gauge and to thecurrent source and including a resistance winding or coil mounted on oneof the propulsion unit and boat hull attachment means and a wipermounted on the other of the propulsion unit and boat hull attachmentmeans and movably electrically connected to the resistance coil forvarying the current flow to the gauge in response to relative movementbetween thepropulsion unit and the attachment means.

More specifically, the invention provides a marine propulsion devicecomprising a swivel bracket con nected to a transom bracket for verticalswinging movement about a horizontal axis, a propulsion unit pivotallyconnected to the swivel bracket for common vertical swinging movement ofthe propulsion unit with the swivel bracket relative to the transombracket and for steering movement of the propulsion unit relative to theswivel bracket, a hydraulic cylinder-piston assembly pivotally connectedbetween the swivel bracket and the transom bracket, and including apiston assembly pivotally telescopically movable in a cylinder inresponse to vertical swinging movement of the swivel bracket andpropulsion unit relative to the transom bracket, and means forindicating the position of the propulsion unit relative to the transombracket comprising a gauge including an indicator movable in response tovariation in electrical current, and a variable resistance electricallyconnected in series to the gauge and including a resistance coil mountedon one of the cylinder and the piston assembly, and a wiper mounted onthe other of the cylinder and the piston assembly and movablyelectrically connected to the coil for varying the current flow to thegauge in response to movement in the cylinder of the piston assembly.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of ameans for informing the operator at a point remote from the propulsiondevice of the angular position, or the tilt or trim position, of thepropulsion unit relative to the boat hull attachment means.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of atrim indicating means including an electrically operated meter and aresistance which is varied in accordance with vertical swinging movementof the propulsion unit relative to the boat hull attachment means.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of atrim and/or tilt indicating means associated with a hydrauliccylinder-piston assembly which is pivotally connected between the boathull attachment means and the swivel bracket of a marine propulsiondevice.

Still another of the objects of the invention is the provision of a trimand/or tilt indicating means including a rack and pinion arrangementwhich is mounted between the swivel bracket and the boat hull attachmentmeans or transom bracket and which is operable to rotate a wiper so asto vary a resistance in accordance with vertical swinging movement ofthe swivel bracket relative to the boat hull attachment means.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known byreference to the following description, claims, and accompanyingdrawings.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially broken away side elevational view ofa marine propulsion device, incorporating various of the features of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is partially sectioned and partially schematic view of various ofthe components incorporated in the marine propulsion device shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of still another arrangement for generatingan electrical output in response to vertical swinging movement of apropulsion unit, which electrical output can be employed in the circuitshown schematically in FIG. 2 to advise the operator of the trim or tiltposition of the propulsion unit.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts set forth in the following generaldescription or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that thephraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a marine propulsion devicein the form of an outboard motor 11 including attachment means in theform of a transom bracket 13 for connecting the motor 11 to a boat hull,together with a swivel bracket 15 connected to the transom bracket 13for vertical swinging movement of the swivel bracket 15 relative to thetransom bracket 13 about a tilt pin 17, and a propulsion unit 19pivotally connected to the swivel bracket 15 about a king pin 21 forsteering movement of the propulsion unit 19 relative to the swivelbracket 15 about an axis perpendicular to the tilt pin 17 and forvertical swinging movement of the propulsion unit 19 in common with theswivel bracket l5 relative to the attachment means or transom bracket13. Carried by the propulsion unit 19 is a propeller 23 which, under thenormal operating conditions, is submerged in water. As thus fardisclosed, the construction is entirely conventional. While thepropulsion device is illustrated as an outboard motor, the invention isequally applicableto stern drive units.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided means for remotelyindicating the vertical position of the propulsion unit 19 or swivelbracket..l5 relative to the attachment means 13 or boat hull. In furtheraccordance with the invention, such means comprises a gauge 25includinganindicator or pointer 27 movable in response'to variationinelectrical current, a source of electrical current, and means forvarying the current applied to the gauge 25 in accordance with and inresponse to vertical swinging movement of the propulsion unit 19.

Various gauges can be employed. The gauge 25 shown in FIG. 2 is in theform of a commercially available resistance driven meter including aface plate having indicia 29 indicative of the permissible angular rangeof the propulsion unit, together with the indicator or pointer 27 whichis movable relative to the indicia 29 in proportion to the currentsupplied to the gauge 25.

Various electrical sources can be employed. It is preferred that theelectrical currentsource provide direct current which is substantiallyof uniform potential. Ac-

cordingly, in the illustrated construction as shown in FIG. 2, a directcurrent battery 31 is electrically connected to the gauge 25.

i The means for varying the electrical current supplied to the gauge 25in response to vertical swinging movement of the propulsion unit 19 cantake various forms, and includes a variable resistance 32 which iselectrically connected in series with the gauge 25 and the battery 31.The variable resistance 32 includes a resistance coil 33 and a wiper 35which is movably electrically connected to the resistance coil 33 tovary the effective resistance of the coil 33 in accordance with theposition of the propulsion unit 19.

Various coils and wipers can be employed in various arrangements forvarying the resistance of the coil in accordance with the position ofthe propulsion unit 19. In the construction shown in FIG. 2, thevariable resistance 32 is associated with a hydraulic cylinder-pistonassembly or means 41 which can take various forms and which, in thedisclosed construction, corresponds to the trim cylinder-piston assemblydisclosed in the U.S. Borst et al patent application, Ser. No. 320,913filed Jan. 4, l973,' which application is incorporated herein byreference.

More specifically, the hydraulic cylinder means 41 comprises a firstmember or cylinder 43 which is pivotally connected to one of the transombracket 13 and swivel bracket and a second member in the form of apiston assembly 45 including a piston 47 and an operably connectedpiston rod 49 which is pivotally connected to the other of the transombracket 13 and swivel bracket 15. The piston assembly 45 istelescopically received in the cylinder 43 and is movable thereinrelative to the cylinder 43 in accordance with the vertical swingingmovement of the propulsion unit 19. Extending from the piston 47 in theconstruction shown in FIG. 2 is a sleeve 51 which carries thereon theresistance coil 33 which is in the form of an annular winding woundaround an insulating bobbin 53 and which is retained on the sleeve 51 infixed position relative to the piston 47 by a snap ring 55.

The wiper 35 is mounted on the cylinder 43 and is in the form of a ballcontact which is retained in electrical engagement with the coil 33 by aretainer 59 which, in turn, is held inplace by a holding member 61 ofinsulating material. As illustrated, the retainer 59 has an inwardlyopen bore 63 which receives the ball contact or wiper 35 and whichhouses a spring 65 biasing the ball contact or wiper 35 into engagementwith the coil 33. Accordingly, movement of the piston 47 within thecylinder 43 causes variation in the effective resistance of the coil 33.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coil 33 is grounded at one end and therebyelectrically connected to the battery 31 in series with the gauge 25.

More specifically, in the specifically illustrated construction, the endof the coil 33 adjacent to the piston 47 is electrically connected tothe sleeve 51 which, at its other end, is fixed to a guide 67 having anannular groove 69. Located in the groove 69, as shown in FIG. 3, is aslider or contact 71 which electrically couples the end of the coil 33adjacent to the piston 47 to the cylinder 43 and thereby to the outboardmotor 11 which also serves as a ground for the battery 31.

Assuming fixed connection of the piston rod 49 to the piston 47, it isevident that the effective resistance would vary in proportion to theamount of extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder means 41through the full range of permissible propulsion unit vertical swingingmovement. However, in the disclosed construction and as particularlydisclosed in the beforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No.320,913, the piston rod 49 is movable relative to the piston 47, and thepiston 47 is movable in accordance with propulsion unit movement onlythrough the trim range or lower part of the permissible tilling orswinging movement of the propulsion unit. Thus, in the constructiondisclosed in FIG. 2, the gauge 25 is limited to portraying or indicatingthe angular position of the propulsion unit 19 relative to theattachment means 13 or boat hull solely within the trim range.

The hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder means 41 is retained inthe cylinder 43 solely to the right of the piston 47 and the coil 33 andball contact or wiper 35 are located in a non-hydraulic fluidenvironment.

Any suitable series electrical connection between the gauge 25, variableresistance 32 and battery 31 can be employed. Also included in thecircuit shown in FIG. 2 is a series connected, key operated ignitionswitch 73 which closes when the associated engine is operated and whichopens when the associated engine is not operating.

Shown in FIG. 4 is another arrangement for providing a variableresistance or means which is variable in accordance with the position ofthe propulsion unit 19. More specifically, in the construction shown inFIG. 4, there is provided a first member which is in the form of acircular rack 81 and which is fixedly attached to the swivel bracket 15by any suitable means, with the axis of the circular rack 81 coincidingwith the axis of vertical swinging movement of the propulsion unit 19.Thus, the rack 81 has common pivotal movement with the swivel bracket 15and propulsion unit 19.

Fixed to the transom bracket 13 is a stationarily located variableresistance coil 33A housed in a bracket 83 which is suitably fixed tothe tilt pin 17 stationarily located relative to the transom bracket 13or which can be suitably fixed directly to the transom bracket. The

resistance coil 33A is electrically connected to a wiper 35A which issupported by the bracket 83 for rotation about the tilt axis and whichis connected to a pinion 85 engaged with the rack 81. Thus, verticalswinging movement of the swivel bracket and connected propulsion unit 19relative to the attachment means or transom bracket 13 causes variationin the resistance of the coil 33A.

The wiper 35A and coil 33A are connected in series with the battery 31and gauge 25 in the same manner as connection of the coil 33 and wiper35 in FIG. 2, so that the electrical current applied to the gauge 25varies in accordance with the resistance of the coil 33A.

in further accordance with the invention, a friction slip clutch isprovided between the wiper 35A and the pinion 85, so that upon initialfull travel of the propulsion unit 19 to to either its fully raised orfully lowered position, the wiper 35A will be automatically properlyangularly located in relation to the pinion 85. in this re gard, thewiper 35A has associated therewith one or more stops (not shown) whichare located so as to prevent movement of the wiper 35A beyond positionscorresponding to fully elevated or fully lowered positions of thepropulsion unit 19. Thus, regardless of the initial angular relationshipbetween the pinion 85 and the wiper 35, when the propulsion unit 19 isvertically moved toward one of its fully raised or fully loweredpositions, the wiper 35A will engage one of the stops and the pinion 85will initially slip until the fully raised or fully lowered position isobtained. Thereafter, the movement of the pinion 85 will causecorresponding movement of the wiper 35A in accordance with the positionof the propulsion unit 19. If desired, only one such stop can beemployed.

Although other arrangements can be employed, in the specificallydisclosed construction, the wiper 35A is carried by a shaft 86 and theclutch takes the form of an annular ring 87 which, for practicalpurposes, is fixed to one of the wiper shaft 86 and the interior bore ofthe pinion 85 and which has projections therein in frictional engagementwith the other of the wiper shaft 86 and the interior bore of the pinion85. Thus, when the wiper 35A engages a stop prior to full travel of thepropulsion unit, relative movement between the wiper shaft 86 and thepinion is permitted. However, thereafter, the pinion 85 and wiper shaft86 and connected wiper 35A move in unison.

ln the construction shown in FIG. 4, the indicator is operable over thefull range of permissible propulsion unit vertical tilting movement.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

We claim:

1. A marine propulsion device comprising a transom bracket adapted forattachment to the hull of a boat, a swivel bracket connected to saidtransom bracket for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis,a propulsion unit pivotally connected to said swivel bracket for commonvertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said swivelbracket relative to said transom bracket and for swinging movement ofsaid propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axistransverse to said horizontal axis, a hydraulic cylinder-piston assemblyincluding a cylinder pivotally connected to one of said swivel bracketand said transom bracket, and a piston assembly pivotally connected tothe other of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket andtelescopically movable in said cylinder in response to vertical swingingmovement of said swivel bracket and propulsion unit relative to saidtransom bracket, and means for indicating the position of saidpropulsion unit relative to said transom bracket comprising a gaugeincluding an indicator movable in response to variation in electricalcurrent, and a variable resistance electrically connected in series tosaid gauge and including a resistance coil mounted on one of saidcylinder and said piston assembly, and a wiper mounted on the other ofsaid cylinder and said piston assembly and movably electricallyconnected to said coil for varying the current flow to said gauge inresponse to movement in said cylinder of said piston assembly.

1. A marine propulsion device comprising a transom bracket adapted forattachment to the hull of a boat, a swivel bracket connected to saidtransom bracket for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis,a propulsion unit pivotally connected to said swivel bracket for commonvertical swinging movement of said propulsion unit with said swivelbracket relative to said transom bracket and for swinging movement ofsaid propulsion unit relative to said swivel bracket about an axistransverse to said horizontal axis, a hydraulic cylinder-piston assemblyincluding a cylinder pivotally connected to one of said swivel bracketand said transom bracket, and a piston assembly pivotally connected tothe other of said swivel bracket and said transom bracket andtelescopically movable in said cylinder in response to vertical swingingmovement of said swivel bracket and propulsion unit relative to saidtransom bracket, and means for indicating the position of saidpropulsion unit relative to said transom bracket comprising a gaugeincluding an indicator movable in response to variation in electricalcurrent, and a variable resistance electrically connected in series tosaid gauge and including a resistance coil mounted on one of saidcylinder and said piston assembly, and a wiper mounted on the other ofsaid cylinder and said piston assembly and movably electricallyconnected to said coil for varying the current flow to said gauge inresponse to movement in said cylinder of said piston assembly.